More sports in brief

Messi
FILE - In this April 9, 2011 file photo, FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, celebrates after scoring during his Spanish La Liga soccer match against Almeria at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. On Friday, Dec. 20, Messi criticized a Barcelona vice president who said he doesn't deserve a better contract. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez, File)

Villa draw

1-1 with Southampton

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP):

Nathaniel Clyne scored a late equaliser to rescue a point for Southampton as the second-place club was held to a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa in the English Premier League yesterday. The England defender smashed in a late leveller just as Villa looked set to clinch their first win in eight games.

Gabby Agbonlahor had opened the scoring after rounding the outrushing Fraser Forster in the 29th, as Southampton looked far from their best. The visitors dominated possession but failed to regularly test goalkeeper Brad Guzan, while Villa were left to rue Andi Weimann's glaring miss on a counter attack in the 78th.

The point did at least lift Villa up to 16th, while Southampton slipped six points behind leaders Chelsea, but still two points ahead of Manchester City.

Nadal to open

tennis academy

MADRID (AP):

Rafael Nadal will open a tennis academy on his home island of Mallorca in 2016. The 14-time Grand Slam winner held a groundbreaking ceremony for the academy in his home town of Manacor. Nadal says, "This is a special day for me, this project that we have been working on for many years is finally a reality."

He says the plan is to "begin with a summer camp in 2016". The academy will include a school where promising tennis talents can continue their regular studies. The 28-year-old Nadal is recovering from the removal of his appendix earlier this month. He has said he will return to competition in January.

Messi chasing

new record

PARIS (AP):

After becoming the Spanish league's all-time leading scorer over the weekend, Lionel Messi is chasing another milestone in the Champions League. The Argentina forward is even with Raul Gonzalez's all-time record of 71 Champions League goals, and he could better that today when Barcelona travel to face Cypriot club APOEL in Group F.

Barcelona have already qualified for the second round, while APOEL are last in the group and looking for its first win. Also, unbeaten leaders Paris Saint-Germain host Ajax, with the Dutch side now aiming for a third-place finish and a place in the Europa League.